#MERS outbreak in Saudi Arabia could greatly disrupt the #hajj - http://clapway.com/2015/08/23/saudi-arabia-reports-6-new-cases-of-mers-232/

On Sunday, Saudi Arabia reported six new diagnoses of the Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS. This number of new cases, which is the biggest since the last MERS outbreak in the middle of 2014, comes as Saudi Arabia is planning to welcome more than two million people to the Islamic holy city of Mecca for the yearly hajj.

MERS OUTBREAK POSES THREAT TO THE UPCOMING HAJJ

The danger of this virus spreading could very well increase as around 5 million Saudi students begin school on Monday after their summer vacation. In a statement on Saturday from the secretary for public health, he reports that the Ministry of Health is working alongside other public health authorities and agencies to contain the MERS infection.

MERS IS A PART OF THE SAME FAMILY AS THE COMMON COLD AND SARS

MERS a part of the same group of infections as SARS, which is spread in Hong Kong and southern China in both 2002 and 2003, and the common cold. It causes shortness of breath, fever, pneumonia and kidney failure.

The kingdom is currently considering a ban on sacrificing camels and sharing their meat with the poor during the hajj. This is a measure that is intended to stop the spread of the virus. The spread of the virus is believed to have started from infected camels to humans.

IN THE PAST, SAUDI ARABIA HAS BEEN CRITICIZED ON HOW THEY HANDLED PREVIOUS OUTBREAKS

During outbreaks in the past, Saudi Arabia has been criticized for what international health groups call a slow response leading to the outbreak of the MERS virus. Since the infection initially showed up in the region in 2012, the virus has infected more than 1,100 individuals and killed more than 480 people, as indicated by the Saudi Health Ministry. The main hospital in Riyadh, King Abdulaziz Medical City of the National Guard in Riyadh, emergency center and outpatient clinics stayed closed Sunday following the infection of a number of the patients and workers.

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Saudi Arabia Reports 6 New Cases of MERS

What you need to know about #MERS, wherever you are. - http://clapway.com/2015/07/27/suspected-mers-outbreak-reported-in-the-uk-234/

The Manchester Royal Infirmary in the UK has shut its Accident and Emergency unit after a suspected Middle East Respiratory Syndrome–-MERS–outbreak, today. According to the hospital, two patients are investigated for the condition. This obliged the administration to shut down their emergency department.

A hospital spokesman said: “Both patients have been isolated for ongoing clinical treatment and management of their condition,” a hospital spokesperson said, adding that there was “no significant risk to public health,” the BBC reported.

Details are still emerging.

Some facts about MERS

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), MERS was first reported in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in September 2012. To date, 26 countries have reported infections, including China, Malaysia, the Philippines, the UK, the US and the Republic of Korea from the Western Pacific Region.

“It is possible that further healthcare associated clusters could occur in the Western Pacific Region following an imported case returning from the Middle East, as is currently being observed in the Republic of Korea,” WHO recently said.

What are the symptoms?

The organization recommends increasing efforts to raise awareness of the disease among travellers going to and travelling from affected countries. Typical symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Around 36% of reported patients with the virus have died.

The viral respiratory illness spreads quickly. The last case of MERS infection in the Republic of Korea was confirmed on July 4 2015. Yet, by July 27, there were 186 confirmed cases – most reported in the Republic of Korea, 1 in China – including 36 deaths.

Mostly human-to-human infections

The virus is particularly dangerous for older people, people with a weak immune systems, and those with chronic diseases such as cancer, chronic lung disease and diabetes. Although the majority of human cases of MERS have been attributed to human-to-human infections, camels are also likely to be a major reservoir host for the disease.

Despite the emergency, the virus does not seem to pass easily from person to person unless there is close contact, such as occurs when providing unprotected care to a patient. However, experts highlighted the importance of clustering the virus around health facilities in order to prevent it from circulating in communities. In any given country, continued monitoring for MERS cases is critical.

If you got news about the MERS outbreak in the UK, share them in the comments section below.

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Suspected MERS Outbreak Reported in the UK